Disappearing stairway



June 23, 1931. ss 1,811,820

DISAPPEARING I STAIRWAY Filed Feb. 23, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.FFmW/f A: EESSLER.

ATTORNEYJ' June 23, 1931. 1 F, E, BESSLEQ 1,811,820

DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY I N VEN TOR. fZwA/K 15'. fiissurz.

ATTORNEY? June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY 5Sheet-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 25 1929 I N VEN TOR.

FY/I/V/f 5. 35881.53. BY flgwa A TTORNEYJ.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAYFiled Feb. 25. 1929 ATTORNEYJ'.

Patented June 23, 1931 UNET'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. BESSLER,AKRON, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR TO 'lHE BESSLER DISAPPEARING- .S'IAIEWAY COMPANY,OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATIQN OF OHIO DISAPPEARING STA RWAY Applicationfiled February 23, 1929. Serial No. 342,023.

This invention relates to disappearing stairways of that typecooperating with a ceiling opening between lower and upper floors of abuilding.

One object of the invention is to provide an easily and safely operabledisappearing stairway inwhich the stairstructure may be carried by amovable ceiling panel which closes the ceiling opening and the stairstructure is collapsible so as not to take up floor space on the upperfloor when the stairway is retracted.

Another object of the invention is to provide power and control meansfor effectively operating dlsappearing stalrways.

The foregoing and other objects of the in vention are attained in thedisappearing stairway illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddescribed below. It is tobe understood that the invention is not limitedto'the specific form and arrangement of th stairway shown.

Of the accompanying drawings, 7 Figure 1. 1s a side elevation, partly insec- -'tion, of a stairway embodying the invention thereof showing theparts in the positions they assume when the stairway is retracted asshown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a rear side elevation of the control mechanism as itappearsin Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the power and-control mechanism as itappears in Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram for the motor and control switches.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an opening in theceiling between lower and upper floors of a building which is arrangedto be closed by a movable panel 11, preferably hinged at one end" as at12 and adapted to carry the stair structure 13.-

The stair structure 13 comprises two sect ons 13 and 13 each ofwhich-may be pro vlded with hand rails 13 and 13 hinged together on theunderside thereof as at'li,

the upper end of section 13 being pivoted in the ceiling opening at 15and thelower section 18 having side grooves 16, 16 in which are fittedelongated slide blocks 17, 17 1nounted on arms 18, 18 pivoted tobrackets 19, 19

mounted on each side of the lower end of-the panel 11. Bearingr'roll'ersare provided at 20, 20 on the arms 18 to support the lower stair section13* thereon so that it may slide freely on said arms. The lower end ofsection 13 of the stairs may be provided with rollers 21 for engagingthe lower floor when the stairway is extended to its position of use. V

The stairway operating means includes cable drums 22, 22 preferablyarranged at each side of the opening 10 adjacent the pivot for thestairway and preferably having the ends of a single cable 23 woundthereon, the cable extending from one drum over a sheave 24 on the sameside of the ceiling opening, thence downwardly about a sheave 25 on thefree end of an arm 18, thence downwardly along side of the lower section13 of the stair structure and about a sheave 26 mounted on one sidethereof, thence across the stair structure to a corresponding sheave 26,thence upwardly along the other side of the stair structure to anothersheave 25 on the free end of the other arm 18, thence upwardly aboutanother sheave 24' on'the other side of the opening'and back to theother drum 22. The use of a cable connected across the stairway as shownserves to equalize the tension in the cable stretches on both sides ofthe stairway.

The power and control mechanism for operating the stairway may be ofany'known' type, either power or hand operated, the particular mechanismherein shown being a novel type of mechanism for this purpose.

This power and control mechanism may be mounted as a unit in the ceilingOpening above the panel hinges 12 and comprises a suitable ill motor 27connected through suitable reduction gearing 28 to reverse bevel gearing29 controlled by a reversing clutch 30, the reverse gearing 29 beingadapted to drive drums 22 which are secured on a shaft 31 throughreduction gearing 32.

For starting motor 27, suitable switches 33 and 34 may be used of thatwell-known type usually provided with interconnected push buttons foroperating an electrical device, such as a light in a building from twodiff rent points, these switches being mounted in convenient places formanual operation on the respective floors of the building between whichthe stairway is installed. To stop the motor, a suitable reversingswitch 35 may be employed, this being shown in the drawings of standardform operable by a double-acting arm 35 projecting from the switch box.The switches 33, 34 and 35 are arranged in the motor circuit asindicated in Figure 9 so that when the motor is stopped by the reversingswitch, the latter sets connections between switches 33 and 34 so that asubsequent operation of either switch 33 or 34 will again start themotor.

The clutch 30 and cut-out switch 35 are arranged to be actuated bymovement of the stairway into its extended position of use and into itsretracted position. To stop the motor and reverse the clutch as thestairway is moved to its extended position, a slidable bar 36 isarranged in the housing 3. of the motor and control unit and normallyprojects outwardly of the easing into the ceiling opening so as to beengaged and depressed into the.

casing by abutment means 38 on the upper end of the stair structure asthe latter moves into its completely extended position for use.

Bar 36 has a stud thereon at 39 cooperating with an arm 40 on a rockshaft 41 on which is secured a yoke arm 42 adapted to shift theshiftable member 30 of reversing clutch 30. The shiftable clutch member3O has spaced apertured lugs 43 and 44 thereon through which is extendeda fixed guiding rod 45 and the shifting force imparted to said clutchmember 30 is arranged to be yieldingly applied by provision of a block45 slidable on rod 45 by yoke arm 42 and having compression springs 46and 47 arranged between it and lugs 43 and 44. Spring pressed dogs 48and 49 are arranged respectively to engage in back of the lugs 43 and 44as indicated at 43 and 49 in Figures 6 and 5 respectively to lock theclutch 30 in engagement in each of its reversed positions. The dogs 48and 49 are adapted to be shifted out of such locking engagement when theclutch is to be reversed by engagement of inclined faces 45 45 on block45 therewith as shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. The shiftableclutch member 30 also has spaced studs 60, 6O thereon for engaging thetumbler or operating arm 35 of the automatic cut-out or reversing switch35 to throw said switch in reversed directions.

To stop the motor and reverse the clutch when the stairway is retracted,a plunger 52 is arranged so as to project downwardly of the ceilingopening when the stairway is extended and to be pushed upwardly as thepanel 11 shuts. The plunger is connected to a bell crank lever 53 whichis connected by a link 54 to an arm 55 on rock shaft 41 to rock saidshaft in the reverse direction (see Figure 7). Arm 4O cooperating withstud 39 on bar 36 and arm 55 cooperating through link 54 and bell crank53 and plunger 52 are therefore so interconnected through the rock shaft41 that when the plunger 52 or the bar 36 is depressed to stop themotor, etc., the other is projected into aposition to be depressed toperform its corresponding function upon a succeeding operation of thestairway, either from its extended to its retracted position or viceversa.

In operation, when the stairway is in its retracted positlon and usethereof 1s desired, either of switches 33 or 34 are actuated startingthe motor so as to pay out cable from drums 22. Panel 11 accordinglyswings downwardly by gravity and the stair section 13- slides by gravityon arms 18 and thus the stair structure as a unit swings downwardlyabout pivot 15 and the stair sections swing in the manner of a toggleinto line with each other about pivot 14.

As the stairway moves into its position of use, abutment member38engages and shifts bar 36 which, through the mechanism describedabove, actuates switch 35 to stop the motor and throws clutch member 30into its reversed position in which it is held by dog 49, dog 48 beingthrown out of its locked position shown in Figure 6 to positionsubstantially as shown in Figure 5.

WVhen the stairway is to be retracted after use, either of switches 33and 34 are again actuated, starting motor 27 which drives drums 22 so asto wind the cable thereon. The first action of the cable is to swingarms 18 on their pivots whereby the toggle ointed sections of the stairstructure swing about pivot 14 and section 13 is drawn upwardly tocollapse the stairway on the panel. When arms 18 swing into alignmentwith the cable stretches to the sheaves 24, the pull in the cablebecomes effective on the panel and the panel moves upwardly carrying thecollapsed stair structure thereon upwardly through the ceiling opening.7 i

As panel llswings shut, it engages plunger 52 and through bell crank 53,link 54, arm 55 and yoke arm 42, releases dog 49 and actuates shiftableclutch member 30 to operate switch 35 to stop the motor and to shiftclutch 30 for a subsequent reverse operation.

It is to be understood that the reversing type switch 35 is used: asidefrom stopping the motor merely tochange the connections between switches33 and 34 so that the motor 7 complete control by the operating means.It

is also apparent that a novel .power operating means and controlstherefor. .have been pro vided forstairways of the disappearing type.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A disappearing stairway comprising the combinationwith a movable panel closure for a ceiling opening, of a stair structuresupported at its upper end so as to be movable with the panel, saidstair structure comprising a single pair of sections pivoted to eachother and supported o'n'the panel so that,

the sections may be swung upwardly in inverted V-formation in the mannerof a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly ontothe panel whereby the stair structure may move with the panel to aposition in the ceiling openingabove the panel when the panel is shut.

2. The combination withthe'ceiling of a lower room havingan openingtherein to give access to an upper room, of a stair structure supportedat its upper end at said opening so as to be moved upwardly out of theway through said opening and comprising a single pair ofsections pivotedto each other so that the stair structure may be collapsed to invertedV-formation in the manner of a toggle to pass through said opening.

3. A disappearing stairway comprising the combinationwitha panel hingedat one edge of a ceiling opening, of a stair structure pivoted at itsupper end so as to be movable with the panel, saidstair structurecomprising a plurality of tread carrying stringersv pivoted together attheir ends and supported onthepanel so that the sections maybe swungupwardly in the mannerv of a toggle and the lower end of the stairstructure drawn up wardly onto the panel whereby the stair ported on thepanel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner of atoggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly onto thepanel whereby the stair structure may move with the panel to a positionin the ceiling opening above the panel when the panel is shut, and meansfor operat- Y ing said panel and stair structure,*comprising an armpivoted on the panel and having a slidable, non-pivotal connection withthe lower stair section, a sheave on the'arm and cable means trainedabout said sheave and connected to the lower stair section. V

5. A disappearing stairway comprising the combination \with a panelhinged at one edge of a ceiling opening, of a stair structure pivoted atits upper end so as to be movable with the panel, said stair structurecomprising sections pivotedto each other and supported on the panel sothat the sections may be I swung upwardly in the manner of a toggle andthe lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly onto thepanelwhereby the stair structure may move with the panel to a posi- 3tion inthe ceiling opening above the panel when the panel is shut, andmeans for operating said panel and stair structure comprising an armpivoted on the paneland'having a slidable, non-pivotal connection [withthe, lower stair section,'asheave on the armand cable meanstrainedrabout said sheave and; connected to the lower stair section.

6. A disappearing stairway comprising the combination with a -movablepanel closure, fora ceiling opening, of a stair structure supported atits upper end so as to be movable with the panel, said stairstructurecomprisiIIgJSGCtlOIlS pivoted to each other and sup- I portedon the panel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner ofa toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawnupwardly onto thepanel whereby the stair'structure may move with the panelto a positionin the ceiling opening above the- I panelwhenthe panel is -shut, meansfor operating said stairway, said .means being connected to thelowermost section, andv a pivoted mounting on the panel onwhich thelowermost stair sectioncis slidable.

17. A. disappearing stairway comprising the combination with a panelhinged atone edge of. a ceiling opening, 7 of a stair structure.

pivoted at its upper end so as to be movable .with the panel, said stairstructure comprising sections'pivoted to-each other and supported on thepanel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner of atoggle and the lower end of; the stair structure drawn upwardly ontothe'panel whereby the" stair structure may move' with the panel toa-position'in the ceiling opening above the panel when-the panel isshut, means for operating said stairway, said means being con} nectedtothe lowermost section, and a pivoted mounting" on the panel onwhiclith'lower most stair" section is slid'alb'le;

8; The" combination with" a' disappearing stairwayadapted to be movedbetween are- 9. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted tobe moved between a retracted position andan' extended position of usein'cooperation with a ceiling opening, of power driven means for extendingand re tracting said stairway, said means including a motor, reversingclutch means, means for starting the motor, means operable by move;-ment of the stairway into its extended position to stop the motor andreverse the clutch, and means operable by movement of the stairwayintoits retracted position to stop the motor and to reverse the clutch.

10. The combinationwith a disappearing stairway movable between aretracted position and an extendedpositionof use in oo- L operation witha ceiling opening, of power means for operating said stairway betweensaid positions, reversing clutch means controlling the operation of thestairway be-' tween said positions'by the power means, and wmeansoperable by the stairway as it moves into each of said positionsforstopping the pow'crmean'sand reversing the clutch means. 11. Thecombination with a disappearing stairway movable between a retractedposii tion and an extended position of use in cooperation withceilingopening, of power means for" operating saidstairway betweensaidpositions, reversing clutch means controlling the operation ofthestairway beub twee'n said positions by'the powermeans, and meansoperable by the stairway as it moves into each' of said positions'forreversing the clutch means.

12.' The combination with a disappearing. li fstairway movable between aretracted posimeans operable by the stairway as it-moves into each ofsaid positions for-stopping the power means.

# 13. A disappearing stairway comprising a tracte'd position-and anextended position of stain snueture'movable in cooperation with aceiling opening-between retracted and extended positions,- said stairwayincluding toggle jointed stairsections, and means for extending andcollapsing said sections.

14. disappearing stairway comprising a" stair structure movable incooperation with a ceiling opening between retracted and extendedpositions, said stairway being pivoted to swing asa unit aboiit'itsupper end and incliirling'toggle j oint'ed 'stair sections, andmeansforex'tendingand collapsing said sections; 4 i V V 15. Adisappearing stairway comprising-a stair structure movable incooperation with a ceiling opening between retracted and extendedpositions; said stairway including toggle jointedfstair sections, andmeans for extending and 'collapsing'said sections, said means comprisinga" reversible power driven member and means controlled by extension andretraction ofsaid stairway for stopping said driven memberand setting itfor reverse drive.

16; A disappearing stairway comprising a stair structure movable incooperation with a ceiling opening between retractedfand ex-- tendedpositions, said stairway including toggle jointed stair" sections, andmeans for extending and collapsing said sections, said means comprisinga motor and reversible" clutch means, and means-controlled by exten sionand retraction of the stairway for stopping themotor' and reversing theclutch.

17. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted to be movedbetween a retracted position and an'extended' position of use incooperation with a ceiling opening,

of power drivenmeans" for extending and retracting said stairway, saidmeans including a motor, a cable drum having a cable thereon connectedto'the stairway, reversing clutch means between the motor and cabledrum, manually operable switches at each floor between which the ceilingopening is located for starting. the'motoif, a switch'for stoppingthemotor, means operable by movement of the stairway into its extendedposi-' tion to operatethe last-named switch and to reverse said clutchand means operable by movement of thestairway into its retractedposition to operate said last-named switch andto reverse the clutch,said last-named switch and said manually operable switches being soarranged in a circuit with the'motor that the former uponstopping themotor sets connections between the'latterwhereby the subsequentoperation o-feither of the manually operable switches will start themotor.

18. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted to be movedbetween a retracted position and an extended position of use incooperation with a ceiling opening, of power driven means for extendingand retracting said stairway, said means including a motor, reversingclutch means, manually operable switches at each floor between which theceiling opening is located for starting the motor, a switch for stoppingthe motor, means operable-by movement of the stairway into its extendedposition to operate the last-named switch and to reverse said clutch andmeans operable by movement of the stairway into its retracted positionto operate said last-named switch and to reverse the clutch, saidlast-named switch and said manually operable switches being so arrangedin a circuit with the motor that the former upon stopping the motor setsconnections between the latter whereby the subsequent operation ofeither of the manually operable switches Will start the motor.

FRANK E. BESSLER.

